Light generating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for generating light utilizing the principle of electrostatic induction between two relatively moving dielectric materials of opposite polarity. A first hollow member is filled with an ionizable gas and includes at least one electrode supported in close proximity to the inner surface of the member. A second member formed of a dielectric material of opposite polarity partially surrounds the first member in close proximity thereto. The two members are moved relative to one another and the consequent electrostatic induction ionizes the gas within the first member.

[4 1 Sept. 30, 1975 United States Patent 11 1 Comber LIGHT GENERATINGAPPARATUS Primary E.\'aminerJames B. Mullins Atwrney, Agent, orFirmCharles F. Duffield [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for generating lightutilizing the principle of 22 Filed:

I electrostatic induction between two relatively moving us Cl dielectricmaterials of opposite polarity. A first hollow member is filled with anionizable gas and includes at 315/78 H0 1/02 least one electrodesupported in close proximity to the 313/148 315/56 inner surface of themember.

51 Int. or.

A second member Field of Search 740/7 6 formed of a dielectric materialof opposite polarity partially surrounds the first member in closeproximity thereto. The two members are moved relative to one {56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS another and the consequentelectrostatic induction ionizes the gas within the first member.

644.823 3/1900 Hcidel...................................315/78 2,856,56113/149 X 3 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 10/1958Giezendanner.................

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 sheet10f4 3,909,650

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet2 of4 3,909,650

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,909,650

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4of4 3,909,650

LIGHT GENERATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present inventionis concerned with light generating machines and, more specifically, withapparatus utilizing the principle of electrostatic induction andionization of gases.

The principle of static electricity or electrostatic induction has beenknown for some time. Particularly, it is known that two dielectricmaterials of opposite polarity, when rubbed together or brought intoclose proximity with one another, will result in polarization of thematerials with consequent change in the potential of the respectivemembers. This is the principle which is employed in the well known Vande Graaff generator within which static charges of many thousands ofvolts are generated.

Very little practical use of the principle of electrostatic inductionhas been made. The Van de Graaff generator and similar types of machinesrepresent one of the few practical applications of the principle. Exceptfor those few limited applications, the principle still remains todaymore of a novelty or curiosity than of practical value.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the presentinvention to provide a light generating machine utilizing the principleof electrostatic induction.

The foregoing object is carried out in the present invention byproviding a first hollow enclosed member which is formed of dielectricmaterial and which is filled with an ionizable gas. In a preferredembodiment, the first hollow member is preferably formed ofa transparentor translucent glass and includes at least one electrode supportedwithin the hollow member in close proximity to the inner surface of themember.

A second member is formed of a dielectric material of opposite polarityto that of the first member. In the preferred embodiment, the secondmember is formed of plastic. The first and second members include aportion of their surfaces which are of complementary configuration suchthat one member may be rotated relative to the other. The consequentrelative motion between the first and second members results inelectrostatic induction between the dielectrics of opposite polarity.The polarization which results from the electrostatic induction isimpressed across the electrodes within the first hollow member. Thepolarization of the gases and the heavy sparking across the electrodescauses ionization of the gas within the member with consequentgeneration of light by reason of the ionization.

In one species of the invention, the hollow gas filled member is heldstationary while in another species thereof, the hollow enclosed memberis rotated. Additionally, in a further species of the invention, thefirst and second members are of a complementary cylindricalconfiguration whereas in yet another species thereof, they are formed ofa complementary conical configuration.

Other objects and advantages of the present inven tion will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed descriptionthereof made in conjunction with the drawings which follows:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective viewof one species of the light generating apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the appara' tus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of a second species of lightgenerating apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION One species of the light generatingapparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. A main supporting frame 10 is provided. At one end of thesupporting frame 10 there is positioned a clampingring 12. The clampingring includes a relief slot 13 cut through the base of the ring. A nutand bolt 15 and 14 respectively are provided and are utilized through anaperture 16 to contract the ring for the purpose hereinafter described.

The opposite end of the main supporting frame 10 includes a verticalsupport 17. The vertical support includes a notch 18 in the lowerportion thereof which is adapted to fit over complementary notches 19formed into the end of the main supporting frame 10. A nut and boltcombination 20 and 21 respectively are utilized through bolt holes 22and 23 in the vertical and main supporting members respectively to holdthe vertical member rigidly in place.

The apparatus includes a bulb 24 within which the light is generated.The bulb 24, in the species of FIGS. 1-2, is of a generally elongatecylindrical configuration. The bulb is hollow and enclosed on both ends.The bulb is of a first diameter through approximately of thecircumference of the bulb and of a smaller diameter through theremaining 180 of circumference to form a recess 28 which extendsthroughout substantially the entire length of the bulb.

A flange 25 at one end of the bulb is'provided in order that that end ofthe bulb will be a true circle equal to the larger diameter of the bulb.A locating projection 26 is provided upon the upper circumference of thebulb and is of a width corresponding to the width of a slot 27 in theupper end of the clamping ring 12.

The bulb 24 is hollow. At the time of manufacture, the bulb is evacuatedand filled with an ionizable gas such as neon or argon. A pair ofelectrodes 29 and 30 are supported within the bulb upon supports 31 and32 secured into the end wall 33 of the bulb. The electrodes terminate ina spherical configuration at their extreme ends. The spheres on theelectrodes are positioned in close proximity to the inner circumferenceof the recessed portion 28 of the bulb. In a preferred arrangement, theelectrodes 29 and 30 are spaced axially within the bulb one-third of theaxial distance from each end. Additionally, the electrodes are spacedangularly one from another approximately 45 in opposite directions froma vertical line through the bulb.

The light of the present invention further includes a lens 34. The lensis preferably of a conical configuration on one end 35. The opposite endincludes a circular projection or flange 36 of a diameter correspondingto the inside diameter of the clamping ring 12. In a preferredarrangement, the lens 34 is formed of a transparent plastic materialpreferably of red color.

In assembled position, the flange 25 of the bulb 24- is designed to fitwithin the clamping ring 12. The projection 26 of the bulb is locatedwithin the ring in the slot 27. In a like manner, the flange 36 of thelens 34 is positioned into the clamping ring 12 from the opposite end.When the bulb and lens are in place, the bolt and nut arrangement 14 and15 respectively is tightened to secure the lens and bulb within theclamping ring.

The light of the present invention further includes a collector 37. Thecollector is preferably formed of a plastic material. The collector isof a hollow elongate cylindrical configuration which is open at one endand closed at the opposite end in a cup shapped supporting member 38.

The cylindrical portion of the collector 37 is of length equal to thebulb 24 excluding the flange 25 of the bulb. The inside diameter of thecylindrical portion of the collector 37 is equal to the larger diameterof the bulb 24. The collector includes three elongate slots 39 which runfor the length of the cylindrical portion of the collector. The slots 39divide the collector into three equal arcuate portions.

In assembled position, the collector 37 is positioned over the outercircumference of the bulb 24 and is supported for rotation upon thevertical support 17. Specifically, a bearing 79 is press fitted into abore 40 in the rear of the supporting member 38 of the collector. Ahollow elongate shaft 4]. is pressed into a bore 42 in the upper end ofthe vertical support R7. The shaft 41 is pressed through the bore 42 soas to extend beyond the other side of the support 17. Thereafter, theinner race of the bearing 79 is forced upon the shaft 41.

A flexible drive cable 43 is employed to rotate the collector 37. Theflexible cable 43 and its inner drive cable 44 pass through a drilling45 in the shaft 41. A drive tang 46 is secured to the inner drive cable44 at its end. The drive cable is held in place by meansof a lock nut 47which pulls a shoulder 88 secured to the cable against a nut 49 which ispressed onto the shaft 41.

The supporting member 38 includes a rectangular aperture recessed in thebore 40 of configuration complementary to the tang 46. When in assembledposition, the tang 46 rests within the aperture to impart the drivingforce to the collector 37. Any suitable means may be employed to drivethe inner cable 44 to rotate the collector 37.

In operation, rotation of the plastic collector 37 around the glass bulb24 will result in electrostatic induction between the two dielectricmaterials of opposite polarity. Passage of the arcuate cylindricalportions of the collector from the portion of the bulb of the largestdiameter to the portion thereof of smaller diameter provides analternating separation of the two dielectric materials resulting inalternating polarization of the glass bulb. The resultant potentialcreated by this alternating polarization results in. alternatingpotentials across the electrodes 29 and within the bulb. The sparkingresulting from the alternating potential will ionize the gas within thebulb and consequently light the bulb. The light within the bulb will befocused through the lens 35. v

A second species of the light generating apparatus of the presentinvention is shownin FIGS. 3 and 4. In this species, the bulb 50 islikewise a hollow enclosed member but of conical configuration. The bulbincludes two electrodes 51 and 52 which are supported on a com--electrodes extend to approximately one-eighth of an inch from the innersurface of the bulb. The bulb 50 is preferably formed of glass material.During manufacturing, the bulb is evacuated and filled with an ioniz-Jable gas such as neon or argon.

The bulb 50 hasincluded therein a threaded metalic shaft 54. This shaftis used to support the bulb and for rotating ofthe bulb in a bearingmember which will be described hereinafter.

The light also includes a plastic collector 55. The collector is of aconical configuration which includes an inside configuration equallingthe outside configuration of the bulb in order that the bulb may nestwithin the plastic collector. The collector includes three elongatedslots 56 which divide the collector into three I equal arcuate segments.The collector terminates at its apex in a threaded ring 57 whichisutilized to support the collector as hereinafter described.

The bulb 50 and collector are supported within a circular supporthousing 58. The support housing 58 includes an annular internallythreaded recess 59. The

inside diameter of the recess 59 corresponds to the out-. side diameterof the supporting ring 57 of the collectors During assembly, thecollector 55 is threadedintothe recess 59 and remains stationary. Adownwardly extending support 60 extends from the supporting housing 58and is utilized to secure the entire light to a supporting structure.

The supporthousing 58 further includes a recessed boss 61. The bossincludes a bore in the back side thereof which is adapted to receive abearing ,62 in a press fit. Once the bearing 62 is in place, the shaft54 of the bulb 50 is positioned through the bore 63 in the boss 61 andextends through the innerrace of the bear ing 62. A lock nut 6d isthreaded onto the shaft 54 and holds the shaft and bulb in place forrotation.

The light generating apparatus further includes a reflector cover 65.The reflector is of a conical configura-,

tion like the bulb 50 but is large enough to permit the collector to bepositioned within the reflector 65. The reflector, at its smaller end,includes an inwardly turned flange 66. The reflector is formed of aresilient plastic. During assembly, the flange 66 ofthe reflector isforced over the housing 58 and passes into an annular groove 67 whichsecures the reflector to the housing The opposite end of the reflectorincludes an opening 68 which is defined by a second inwardly turnedflange 69. The diameter of the opening 68 is large enough to permit thelarger end of the collector to be forced past the resilient flange 69 ofthe reflector.

The reflector is formed of a transparent plastic material. The outsidesurface of the reflector is coated with a mirror material. Duringoperation of the light, the light generated within the bulb 50 will bereflected from the inner surface of the reflector and ultimately beshined through the opening 68.

The rear of the light is enclosed by a cover cap 78. The cap includes abore in the central portion thereof which permits clearance for the locknut 64 when the cap is in place. Two drillings 70 and 71 are provided inthe cap. Cap screws 72 pass through the drilling and are threaded intocorresponding threaded holes (not shown) in the housing 58 to secure thecap in place. The bore 80 in the cap 78 includes a further drilling (notshown) through the back of the cap 78.

Rotary motion is imparted to the bulb 50 by means of a flexible drivecable 73. The outside housing 76 of the cable is positioned in thedrilling in the rear of the cap 78. A threaded tang 74 is provided onthe end of the inside cable 75. The threaded tang threads into athreaded hole 77 in the end of the shaft 54 of the bulb. Rotation of theinside cable 75 is in a direction to maintain the tang threaded withinthe hole 77 and thus hold the entire cable in position.

In operation, the inside cable 75 of the flexible cable is driven by anysuitable means. The inside cable causes the glass bulb 50 to rotatewithin the plastic collector 55. The relative motion of the twodielectrics of opposite polarity results in electrostatic inductionwhich p olarizes the bulb 50. The slots 56 in the collector 55 result inalternating polarization within the bulb 50 as the electrodes 51 and 52pass by the slots. The resultant polarization of the bulb 50, by reasonof the potential within the bulb 50, results in sparks which ionize thegas and cause light emission from the bulb.

The light generating appartus of the present invention has many uses,one contemplated use is as the headlight and/or taillight of a bicycle.In that use, a drive mechanism driven by the wheel of the bicycle wouldbe utilized to impart the motion to the inner cable of the flexiblecable.

The light generating apparatus of the present invention has beendescribed in respect to a particular embodiment thereof. Othervariations and modifications of the present invention will now becomeapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoingdisclosure. No limitation as to the scope of the invention was intendedby reason of the particular disclosure thereof but the scope of theinvention is to be interpreted in view of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Light generating apparatus comprising:

a first elongate hollow enclosed member formed of a dielectric materialand filled with an ionizable gas;

at least one pointed electrode supported within the enclosed member andspaced in close proximity to the inner surface of the hollow member;

a second member formed of a dielectric material of polarity opposite tothe first member substantially surrounding the first member and ofcomplementary configuration thereto along the longitudinal axis thereof;

a plurality of elongate slots within the second member parallel to thelongitudinal axis thereof; and

means for moving the first and second members relative one to anotherwhereby electrostatic induction generated between the members willionize the gas within the first member with consequent light emission.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is formed of atransparent glass and the second member is formed of a plastic material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is stationary.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second mem ber is stationary.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second members are ofcomplementary cylindrical config uration.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a trans parent lenssecured to the first member at one end thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second members are ofcomplementary conical configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a third member surroundingthe second member and including a reflective material on the outersurface thereof.

1. Light generating apparatus comprising: a first elongate hollowenclosed member formed of a dielectric material and filled with anionizable gas; at least one pointed electrode supported within theenclosed member and spaced in close proximity to the inner surface ofthe hollow member; a second member formed of a dielectric material ofpolarity opposite to the first member substantially surrounding thefirst member and of complementary configuration thereto along thelongitudinal axis thereof; a plurality of elongate slots within thesecond member parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof; and means formoving the first and second members relative one to another wherebyelectrostatic induction generated between the members will ionize thegas within the first member with consequent light emission.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is formed of a transparentglass and the second member is formed of a plastic material.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is stationary.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member is stationary.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second members are ofcomplementary cylindrical configuration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5further including a transparent lens secured to the first member at oneend thereof.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and secondmembers are of complementary conical configuration.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 further including a third member surrounding the second memberand including a reflective material on the outer surface thereof.